Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Alan Bullard is probably best known to Pianodao readers as the co-author (with Janet) of the brilliant Pianoworks series of adult method and repertoire books, which I have reviewed here and use with my students on a near-daily basis.
Bullard is also respected as the composer of a set of 24 Preludes, reviewed here, which have found their place in the repertoire for more advanced players at around Grades 7-8 (including on the ABRSM syllabus).
Now he’s back with Aspects of Blue, his first publication with the adventurous boutique publishing house Editions Musica Ferrum, and arriving in their gorgeous house style.
We are told,
“These seven piano pieces, of intermediate difficulty, represent different aspects of the twelve-bar blues structure, which originated in the southern states of the USA in the mid-nineteenth century. Each is based on the twelve-bar blues chord sequence, but responds to it in a different way, with stylistic reference to the past as well as the present, providing a contrasting set of pieces which can be played complete or individually.”
Intrigued? Let’s investigate…
Seven Solo Piano Pieces
Starting with the obvious, this is a slim music folio with 20 pages printed on cream paper, the seven pieces ranging in length from 2-3 pages each. There are title and contents pages, and a helpful page of Performance notes penned by the composer.
In terms of level, I would suggest these pieces are indeed suitable for late intermediate players at around U.K. Grade 5.
The scores themselves are well-spaced, with generous print size and clear music engraving rendered in satisfyingly black ink. Ample fingering is provided throughout, and although Bullard states that these markings are suggestions to be adapted as required, I was not surprised to find that the given choices are pedagogically sound and pianistically conceived.
Bullard has also posted this beautiful live recording of his own pieces on his YouTube channel:
The seven pieces have suitably “blue” names:
- Deep Blue
- Bluetooth
- Light Blue
- Blue River
- Stately Blue
- Blue Sky
- Electric Blue
Although these titles hint at the musical gist of each piece, those familiar with Bullard’s work will know to expect the unexpected, and sure enough this is a collection that surprises at the same time as it delights.
For starters, while these pieces certainly channel pop music sensibilities, none has an obvious swing groove until we reach the final Electric Blue, which is in any case notated in compound time rather than using the jazz convention.
And when it comes to “groove”, rhythmic subtleties and nuances abound, from the frequent time signature changes of Deep Blue to the alternation of triple and standard crotchets subdivisions of the “cut time” minim beat in Light Blue, and the ebbing rhythmic displacements of the gorgeous Blue River (which is probably my favourite piece of the set).
The twelve-bar blues progression as promised appears throughout, albeit in some pieces more craftily concealed than in others. But while the odd harmonic turn hints at the bluesy roots of Bullard’s compositional process, most of these pieces fit the bill as contemporary concert repertoire with subtle jazz inflections and solid pedagogic intent.
Each piece has its own unique character, and together they brilliantly display the creative curiosity and consummate craftsmanship of Bullard, who is surely the purveyor of some of our most eloquent, distinguished and imaginative contemporary educational music around.
Closing Thoughts
Alan Bullard can always be relied upon to deliver music of genuine quality, and the seven pieces which make up Aspects of Blue are no exception.
I can easily see several, and any, of these pieces establishing themselves as firm favourites, particularly should they appear in a grade exam syllabus, where the only danger is that they might show up some of the less intelligent and imaginative knock-offs that occasionally feature!
Top marks not only to Bullard, but to Editions Musica Ferrum for their foresight and commendable verve in bringing this music to a crowded market, and for doing so with the beauty and integrity the pieces deserve.
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